Request for Proposals (RFP): Consultancy Services for Small Nutrition-Sensitive Business Incubation

Position: Consultant (Full-Time)

Qualifications: MBA/MSc/MA

Experience: 5 years

Location: Nairobi

Field: Agriculture/Agro-Allied, Consultancy, Project Management

Objective of the Consultancy:

The objective of this consultancy is to assist Concern in developing a tailored, gender-responsive accelerator platform for small businesses in informal settlements within Nairobi City County, specifically Mukuru Njenga, Mukuru Reuben, Viwandani, and Mathare. The consultant will undertake a comprehensive review of the local ecosystem, identify gender-transformative business incubation strategies, and recommend policy enhancements at both National and County levels to foster equal gender participation and growth of small businesses in these informal settlements.

Key Tasks for the Consultant:

1. Review of the Ecosystem:
   • Conduct an analysis of food value chains, estimating market values, and mapping business chains using the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) and Value Chain Analysis approaches.
   • Identify social demographic characteristics of small business owners, emphasizing gender and intersectionality.
   • Assess available financial facilities for small businesses.
   • Identify enablers and barriers for operating small businesses in urban informal settlements.
2. Gender-Transformative Business Incubation:
   • Recommend options and approaches for a business incubator that promotes sustainable and gender-transformative enterprises.
   • Develop criteria for the quality improvement and graduation of small businesses.
   • Identify suitable financial options for scaling up small businesses, including financial and support mechanisms.
3. Policy Gap Identification:
   • Review legislative and regulatory frameworks for small businesses in urban informal settlements, covering trade, raw material sourcing, food production, processing, safety, marketing, and consumption.
   • Recommend key policy gaps for creating an enabling business environment for small enterprises.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Inception Report (maximum five pages) outlining the approach/methodology and execution program/timetable.
2. Submission of data collection tools with the inception report.
3. Preliminary report.
4. Final report, including a comprehensive executive summary, conclusions, and recommendations.

Lines of Communication:

The consultant will closely collaborate with the Programme Director and Health and Nutrition Coordinator.

Timeframe:

The consultancy duration is 30 days.

Essential Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Economics, Business-related disciplines, or Development Studies.
• Minimum of five (5) years demonstrated experience in agribusiness research/practice.
• Understanding of the Kenyan urban context, particularly Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP).
• Practical experience or research in low-income urban communities.
• Effective interaction with local and national institutions, government departments, and business service providers.
• Familiarity with current business models and practices in the agricultural sub-sector.
• Expertise in cross-cutting themes like gender mainstreaming, M&E, and advocacy.
• Proven experience using participatory tools and methodology.
• Past experiences in crop value chain development.

Required Documentation with Proposal:

• Certificate of Incorporation (firms) or National ID card (individual).
• Valid Tax Compliance Certificate.
• PIN Certificate.
• Company/Consultant’s Profile.
• CVs of key staff.
• Certificates/references from previous similar contracts with NGOs/UN agencies.
• Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, etc.
• Certificate of Good Conduct or proof of application.
• Confirmation of the gender ratio for the engaged team.
• Detailed work plan with milestones.

Method of Application:

Interested candidates meeting the requirements should submit proposals via email to Consultancies.Kenya@concern.net, with the subject line “SR104349 – Consultancy for Incubation of Small Nutrition Sensitive Businesses in Nairobi City County” by 6th December 2023.